General Industry Questions

What is Indirect Materials Management (IMM)?

The primary concept behind integrated supply is outsourcing non-core business functions related to indirect MRO products and services from the customer's daily operation. Key outsourced functions include onsite management, inventory consignment, procurement process reengineering, sourcing non-stock products, and integrating information systems.

What is MRO?

Maintenance, Repair and Operations: generally, the term refers to materials and services that do not go directly into the end product but are used by the plant to maintain, repair or operate the machinery and processes used in the actual manufacturing activity.

Most of the material SETECH manages is considered "blue collar" plant-level MRO. SETECH procures and manages approximately a half-million SKU's of MRO items including the following types of supplies: blue-print tooling, computer supplies, cutting tools/abrasives, engineering supplies, filtration supplies, gloves & safety supplies, fasteners, hand tools, electrical, electronic, fluid power, OEM spare parts, power transmission, raw material, repair, machine and electrical spare parts in addition to other indirect material such as office supplies and general equipment.

How does a "pure" integrator differ from any other integrated supply services provider?

A "pure" integrator is a neutral third party, not looking to push a particular brand of product. Pure Integrators do not apply a mark-up to any of the products or services provided to the end customer by OEM's, suppliers, or vendors. All materials and services are a "straight pass-through" with the integrator providing value-added management and technical support services at a nominal fee.

What is ISO certification?

The ISO 9000 series standards are internationally recognized quality management system requirements developed by the International Organization for Standardization. SETECH brings ISO certification, normally reserved for direct manufacturing processes, to the tool crib/store room environment.